day 4

So for the past four days I play these roles, sometimes all at the same time:

        -Mother
       - Cook
       - House-keeper
       - Teacher
       - Referee
       - Full time employee

It’s tough especially when you get solicited by all of the above at the same time.  And my kids don’t really understand that although I’m at home I’m working.  To simplify I put on a ridiculous red beret and tell them when Mommy’s wearing the red beret she’s working so she’s not to be bothered.  My daughter gets it but it goes something like this:

Daughter:  Mom can you blow this balloon up for me?

Me:  Honey, remember what I said?  What does it mean when I wear this red beret?

Daughter:  You’re working!

Me:  And?

Daughter:  We’re not to bother you.

Me:  Ok.

Daughter:  [Leaves.  Comes back in five minutes] Mom can you blow up this balloon for me? 

At least I get five minutes.   This is how it goes with my son:

Son: Balloon!!!!!!!

Me:  Honey, remember what I said?  What does it mean when I wear this red beret?

Son: Red!

Me:  Yes it’s red but what does it mean?

Son: Red!

Me:  I’m working.

Son: Balloon!!!!!!!

Me:  And not to be bothered.

Son:  Balloon!!!!!!! Balloon!!!!!!! Balloon!!!!!!!

Later my boss messages me with an urgent task.  At the same time my husband wants to know if I need anything because he’s ordering online now because the next available pick up is in one week (normally we can order two days before).  There were also a lot of items unavailable so he asked me to anticipate any needs.  Oh and he wants to know why am I wearing that ridiculous beret?  In the background my kids are having a “who can jump higher” contest on the couch.  So what do I do first?  What’s the priority?  My boss? Having enough food to eat?  Preventing my kids from hurting themselves because this is not the time to go to the hospital?  And these are the urgent things.  I also have to get their afternoon snacks ready otherwise we’ll add hungry unhappy low blood sugar kids to the mix and I should really clear the floor of toys least someone (mainly me) trips and falls and, of course, now is NOT the time for someone to go to the hospital.  

While I’m thinking about all this husband wants to know when we can take the kids out because they’ve been cooped up all day hence the jumping on the couch contest but unfortunately I need to get this thing done for my boss and oh, are there apples available at the store?

Finally I finish the thing for my boss and we take the kids out on their bikes so they can exercise without touching too many things or trying to talk to too many people.  All of a sudden I notice my son is going way to fast across a small street and there’s a car and omg I grab him as fast as I can as the car hails to a stop. 

He’s ok.  I am lucky. 

And ashamed to admit that right before this happened, this was what going through my mind:  I should really stop by the store to pick up some apples since we don’t have enough fresh fruits until next week’s grocery pick up. 

….

Today at 8pm we went out on our balcony to cheer for medical personnel on the front line in the fight against the Coronavirus. 

Bravo.